Public expenditure on education has decreased to 2.2 percent of the GDP in fiscal year 2017-18 as compared to 2.3 percent of GDP in fiscal year 2016-17, which is the lowest in the region, while literacy rate declined from 60 percent to 58 percent, revealed the Economic Survey 2017-18.
The education related expenditure increased by 5.4 percent to Rs 699.2 billion in fiscal year 2017-18 from Rs 663.4 billion in fiscal year 2016-17. The provincial governments are also spending sizeable amount of their Annual Development Plans (ADPs) on education. The survey noted that during 2017-18, Pakistan Social And Living Standards (PSLM) survey was not conducted due to Population & Housing Census 2017. Therefore the figures for the year 2015-16 may be considered for the current year.
The data shows that literacy remains much higher in urban areas (74 percent) than rural areas (49 percent) with male (81 percent) and female (68 percent) in urban areas. Province-wise data suggests that Punjab and Sindh lead with 62 percent and 55 percent respectively followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan with 53 percent and 41 percent respectively.
The survey further noted that overall Net Enrolment Rate (NER) at the primary level for the age group at national/provincial 2015-16 was recorded at 54 percent as compared to 57 percent in 2013-14 showing a decline of 3 percent.
Net Enrollment Rate (NER) indicates that amongst the provinces, only Sindh remained stable with 48 percent while Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa declined from 64 percent to 59 percent and 54 percent to 53 percent respectively. Balochistan has witnessed a significant decline from 39 percent in 2013-14 to 33 percent in 2015-16. The overall gross enrollment rate at the primary level for the age group at national/provincial 2015-16 recorded at 87 percent as compared to 90 percent in 2013-14 showing a decline of 3 percent.
Federal Public Sector Development Program for fiscal year 2018 has allocated an amount of Rs 2.96 billion for 10 ongoing and 3 new projects of the Ministry of Federal Education & Professional Training. An amount of Rs 3.18 billion has also been provided for 13 ongoing & new education related projects to Finance and Capital Administration & Development Divisions.
At the national level, a total of 169,600 primary schools with 475,200 teachers were functional in 2016-17. An increase of 0.6 percent in primary enrolment was witnessed which increased to 21,686,000 in 2016-17 against 21,551,000 in 2015-16. Primary enrolment is estimated to increase to 22,521,000 in 2017-18.
During academic year 2016-17, a total of 49,100 thousand middle schools with 455,400 teachers were functional in the whole country. At national level, an increase of 1.1 percent in middle enrolment has been observed as it went up to 6,996,000 in 2016-17 against 6,922,000 in 2015.16. Middle enrolment is estimated to have increased by 2.8 percent ie from 6,996,000 to 7,189,000 in 2017- 18.
A total of 31,600 high schools with 560,600 teachers were functional in the country. A decrease of 1.9 percent in high school enrolment has been observed as dropped to 3,583,000 in 2016-17 against 3,652,500 in 2015-16. It is estimated to increase by 5.1 percent ie from 3,583,100 to 3,765,200 in 2017-18.
A total of 5,100 higher secondary schools/inter colleges with 120,300 teachers were functional in 2016-17. A decrease of 6.1 percent in higher secondary enrolment has been observed as it dropped to 1,594,900 in 2016-17 against 1,698,000 in 2015-16. It is estimated to increase by 9.8 percent ie from 1,594,900 to 1,750,600 in 2017-18.
A total of 185 universities with 58,700 teachers were functional in 2016-17. An increase of 7.9 percent in enrolment was observed as it surged to 1,463,300 in 2016-17 against 1,355,600 in 2015-16. It is likely to decrease by 2.7 percent ie from 1,463,300 in 2016-17 to 1,423,100 in 2017-18.
The total number of enrolments at national level during 2016-17 stood at 48.062 million as compared to 46.223 million during 2015-16. This shows a growth of 3.97 percent and it is estimated to further rise to 50.426 million during 2017-18. The total number of institutes stood at 260,800 during 2016-17 as compared to 252,800 during the last year and the number of institutes are estimated to increase to 267,700 during 2017-18. The total number of teachers during 2016-17 was 1.726 million compared to 1.630 million during last year showing an increase of 5.9 percent. This number of teachers is estimated to rise further to 1.808 million during the year 2017-18.
Currently, 188 public and private sector higher education institutions (HEIs) are operating in the country having an enrolment of 1.46 million students approximately.
Under the PSDP 2017-18, the government has allocated Rs 35.663 billion for 181 development projects (112 ongoing & 69 unapproved projects) for universities. During fiscal year 2018, twenty-one (21) projects with a total cost of Rs 46.713 billion have been considered and approved by the competent forum ie CDWP/ECNEC. Thus total number of approved projects has increased to 133. During 2017-18 (July-December), the government has released Rs 11.628 billion (33 percent of the total budget) to ongoing development projects of universities/HEC whereas for the 3rd quarter, an amount of Rs 4.233 billion is being released.
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